Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) was born in Innsbruck, Austria. After graduating from Turin Polytechnic with a degree in architecture, he opened a studio in Milan in 1947. His work, which ranges from furniture and ceramics to office equipment, has been produced by manufacturers such as Alessi, BD Barcelona, Bitossi, Design Gallery, Glas Italia, Memphis Milano, Olivetti, Stilnovo, and Zanotta. Ettore Sottsass was instrumental in the development of the Memphis school of design in 1981 and his designs figured prominently as part of the Memphis movement throughout the 1980s. His work is included in the permanent collections of several prestigious museums worldwide, including Paris’ Musee des Arts Decoratifs, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, and New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.